> At 07:26 AM 10/23/2011, SA wrote:
>> On 10/23/2011 5:57 AM, socialismorbarbarism wrote:
>>
>>> BTW, what are those objections to addressing someone as "Ma'am" about?
>>> I didn't get it when the speaker objected and I don't get why it was
>>> continued in the comments. What was supposed to be the proper form of
>>> address?
>>
>> Good fucking question. That lady was bananas.
It's sexist. The Madame / Miss distinction exists to reinforce the notion that a woman's social status is determined by her marital status. The fact that it isn't mirrored for the male should be enough to give one pause.
Most of us were taught to think and speak this way out of "politeness." IOW, most of us were rewarded for successfully learning to follow discursive practices that perpetuate and constantly re-inscribe patriarchy.